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Pakistan hospital at centre of child HIV outbreak caught reusing syringes in BBC film
BBC Eye found contaminated syringes and poor infection control at government clinics as more than half of 331 child cases were linked to unsafe injections.
- A BBC Eye investigation identified 331 children in Taunsa, Pakistan, who tested positive for HIV between November 2024 and October 2025, linking the outbreak to unsafe injection practices at THQ Taunsa Hospital.
- Although local authorities promised a "massive crackdown" in March 2025 and suspended the medical superintendent, BBC Eye's investigation reveals that dangerous injection practices continued months later at THQ Taunsa.
- During 32 hours of undercover filming, BBC Eye recorded staff reusing syringes on multiple children; consultant microbiologist Dr Altaf Ahmed warned this practice transfers the virus "even if they have attached a new needle."
- Affected children like 10-year-old Asma face lifelong treatment and social stigma, while the national government maintains it "acted promptly" to implement infection prevention measures in March 2025.
- Pakistan continues to face high rates of medically unnecessary therapeutic injections, and experts note broader weaknesses in infection control training that persist despite guidelines sent to health facilities in March 2025.
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20 Articles
20 Articles
Children, needles, a deadly lapse: Inside Pakistan hospital linked to HIV outbreak
An undercover investigation by the BBC documents how children in Taunsa, Punjab province, may have been exposed to HIV through contaminated injections, with families alleging negligence at the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital.
·India
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BBC reports ‘serious malpractices’ continued at Taunsa hospital months after it was linked to HIV outbreak
Punjab health department says all cases referred to in the report are from Dec 2024 and 2025; claims details of "comprehensive measures" it had taken and shared with the media outlet are not included in the report.
·Pakistan
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Berliner Morgenpost+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
The number of children infected with HIV in Pakistan recently increased rapidly. One reason is scandalous conditions as in a hospital.
·Berlin, Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left1Leaning Right5Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Right
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources lean Right
72% Right
14%
14%
R 72%
Factuality
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